Naga153 Arita Six Poetic Saints octagonal platter

An octagonal serving platter with beveled edge, after a Delft style it seems, meant for the serving of Western style food, perhaps a meat platter, but with a design that is quintessentially Arita with its tasseled edge similar to that found on pots, and its plum tree and bird motif found on the main level design. There, we find a design of courtier poets, the rokkasen 六歌仙 or six Poetic Saints of the Heian Period, two priests, three courtiers, and a woman whose name was Komachi. This is an inban or stenciled design in deep cobalt. The surface shows irregularity, and two spots at the top have not covered in the overglaze. The back has a hand painted border and four tako karagusa based border designs, probably also hand drawn. Despite its flaws, this is a very unusual plate in otherwise perfect condition from, I would guess, the 1880’s or the earliest era of the use of Wagonner chemical cobalt dyes. Length 42 cm., height 31.8 cm., bottom edge length 33 cm., bottom edge height 22.5 cm.

naga153 Arita octagonal platter   $275.00 (shipping & packing available) We accept VISA and MASTERCARD See more at Richard Arts